Ashland’s new $11.5 million water intake pipe in Lake Superior is now operational after the contractor repaired six construction-damaged areas at their own expense. TheAshlandDailyPress reports Public Works Director John Butler said “everything has been working great” since the November fix. The new pipe replaces one built in 1891, includes an ice-preventing intake grate, and is expected to have a similar or longer lifespan. Roen Salvage Company installed it via a trenched, sealed process. Funding came from a $3.5 million grant and an $8 million DNR loan, which necessitated a water rate increase. The old pipe remains an emergency backup.